Deck 30: Pharmacology With Calcium Channel Blockers

Question 1

The nurse is assessing a client taking both verapamil and digoxin.Which finding indicates an adverse interaction of this drug combination?

A)Pulse rate 51 beats per minute
B)Respiratory rate 42 breaths per minute
C)Blood pressure 184/96 mmHg
D)Serum potassium 5.6 mEq/L

Answer 1

Pulse rate 51 beats per minute

Question 2

A client's history includes hypertension and chronic stable angina pectoris.Which drug can manage both conditions?

A)Felopidine (Plendil)
B)Nimodipine (Nimotop)
C)Amlodipine (Norvasc)
D)Nicardipine (Cardene)

Answer 2

Amlodipine (Norvasc)

Question 3

A nurse educator is discussing how calcium channel blockers interact with the L-type calcium channel.The educator knows the students have understood the discussion when they state that L-type calcium channels are located in which location? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A)The cardiovascular system
B)Neurons
C)Endocrine cells
D)Sensory cells
E)The gastrointestinal system

Answer 3

The cardiovascular system
Neurons
Endocrine cells
Sensory cells

Question 4

The nurse is preparing to administer medications,including verapamil (Verelan),a calcium channel blocker,and metoprolol (Lopressor),a beta₁-adrenergic blocker,to a client with hypertension.An entry in the client's medical record indicates he has developed AV block.Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A)Administer both metoprolol (Lopressor)and verapamil (Verelan).
B)Hold both metoprolol (Lopressor)and verapamil (Verelan),and notify the prescriber.
C)Hold metoprolol (Lopressor),administer verapamil (Verelan),and notify the prescriber.
D)Hold verapamil (Verelan),administer metoprolol (Lopressor),and notify the prescriber.

Question 5

Calcium channel blockers are classified by their chemical structure.The nurse knows that which calcium channel blockers are dihydropyridines? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A)Amlodipine (Norvasc)
B)Felodipine (Plendil)
C)Nicardipine (Cardene)
D)Diltiazem (Cardizem)
E)Verapamil (Verelan,Calan)

Question 6

The nurse preparing to administer both a calcium channel blocker and a beta₁-adrenergic blocker to a client with hypertension plans to monitor the client's response based on which understanding of these drugs?

A)They promote calcium influx into vascular smooth muscle.
B)They block sympathetic impulses in sarcolemma membranes.
C)They prevent calcium influx into vascular smooth muscle.
D)They promote urinary excretion of sodium.

Question 7

The nurse identifies Injury,Risk for as a nursing diagnosis for a client beginning therapy with verapamil (Verelan)who takes carbamazepine (Tegretol)to manage a seizure disorder because this drug combination can result in an increased risk of which disorder?

A)Seizures
B)Confusion
C)Ataxia
D)Hypotension

Question 8

The nurse observes that a client admitted for orthopedic surgery also has a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.Which drug can achieve a therapeutic effect relative to the client's diagnosis of atrial fibrillation?

A)Isradipine (DynaCirc)
B)Nifedipine (Procardia)
C)Nicardipine (Cardene)
D)Diltiazem (Cardizem)

Question 9

A client is prescribed verapamil to treat hypertension and chronic stable angina.Which assessment finding is of greatest concern relative to potential adverse effects of amlodipine for this client?

A)Facial flushing
B)Respiratory rate 22 breaths per minute
C)Pedal edema 1+
D)Heart rate 132 beats per minute

Question 10

Which drug can be used to treat cardiac dysrhythmias?

A)Nifedipine (Procardia)
B)Verapamil (Calan)
C)Nisoldipine (Nisocor)
D)Amlodipine (Norvasc)

Question 11

The nurse advises a client taking nifedipine (Procardia)to avoid alcohol while taking this drug because this combination increases the risk of which adverse effect?

A)Liver damage
B)Peptic ulcer
C)Headache
D)Fainting

Question 12

A calcium channel blocker has been prescribed for a client with hypertension.The nurse explains that this drug affects the function of the L-type calcium channel by which action?

A)Enhancing the action potential along the cell membrane
B)Changing the shape of the L-type calcium channel
C)Blocking sympathetic input to the cell membrane
D)Competing for calcium receptors on the L-type calcium channel

Question 13

The nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous dose of verapamil (Calan)to a client.Prior to administering this drug,which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?

A)Ask the client to sit in a chair.
B)Obtain emergency resuscitation equipment.
C)Attach a pulse oximeter monitor.
D)Administer oxygen by nasal cannula.

Question 14

A client prescribed verapamil (Calan)to treat hypertension has gained 6 pounds in the past 3 days and is complaining of shortness of breath,constipation,ankle swelling,flushing,and dizziness.The client has been switched from verapamil to nifedipine (Procardia).The nurse understands the rationale for this change is that nifedipine (Procardia)will not cause which adverse effect?

A)Flushing
B)Dizziness
C)Heart failure
D)Constipation

Question 15

The nurse is teaching a client about the role of calcium in hypertension,and explains that a high concentration of calcium in arterial smooth muscle cells leads to which clinical manifestation?

A)Elevated blood pressure
B)Hypercalcemia
C)Decreased blood pressure
D)Hypocalcemia

Question 16

A beta₁-adrenergic antagonist drug has been added to the regimen of a client with angina pectoris who is taking amlodipine (Norvasc).The nurse identifies which assessment finding as representing a goal of therapy related to a common mechanism of action of both drugs?

A)Peripheral edema
B)Decreased blood pressure
C)Flushing
D)Constipation

Question 17

A nursing instructor is explaining the role of calcium in the contraction of the cardiac muscle.The instructor asks the students to state,in order,the events that allow the cardiac muscle to contract.Standard Text: Click on the down arrow for each response in the right column and select the correct choice from the list.Response

A)An action potential occurs. Response
B)Depolarization occurs. Response
C)Voltage-gated channels in the sarcolemma open. Response
D)Ions enter and leave the muscle cell. Response
E)Muscle contraction occurs.

Question 18

Most calcium channel blockers reduce the force of myocardial contractions.The nurse knows which drugs have this negative chronotropic effect at a therapeutic dose? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A)Verapamil
B)Diltiazem
C)Amlodipine
D)Felodipine
E)Nicardipine

Question 19

The nurse is explaining the effects of calcium channel blockers on the cardiovascular system to a client.The nurse is aware that all dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are equivalent in effectiveness for treating which disorders? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A)Hypertension
B)Angina
C)Cerebrovascular disease
D)Deep vein thrombosis
E)Pulmonary embolism

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin)and diltiazem (Cardizem).The nurse recognizes which finding as representing an adverse interaction of this combination of drugs?

A)Peripheral edema
B)Headache
C)Hypertension
D)Bradycardia

Question 21

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with hypertension.The client is currently taking a calcium channel blocker.Which adverse reactions should the nurse monitor for while the client is taking this medication? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.Standard Text: Select all that apply.

A)Myalgia
B)Facial edema
C)Decreased angina
D)Increased blood pressure
E)Significant constipation

Question 22

The nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the hospital following rupture of an intracranial aneurysm.Nimodipine (Nimotop)is prescribed.Which assessment is most significant based on an understanding of the therapeutic effect of this drug for this client?

A)Measure blood pressure every 4 hours.
B)Auscultate cardiac rate and rhythm.
C)Observe for dependent edema.
D)Conduct frequent neurological checks.

Question 23

A client is prescribed verapamil (Calan)and simvastatin (Zocor).To detect a potential adverse effect of this drug combination,the nurse should instruct the client to call her health care provider if which adverse effect is experienced?

A)Tachycardia
B)Muscle pain
C)Dizziness
D)Headache